Mercedes-Benz V-Class MPV Revealed

By Ganesh

Updated: Friday, January 31, 2014, 15:17 [IST]

Mercedes-Benz V-Class has been revealed, a beautiful looking MPV that combines driving pleasure and features of a Merc passenger car and the comfort and practicality only an MPV can provide.

The V-Class itself is a name that's making a return after 1996, but Mercedes has conceived the all new V-Class as a replacement to the R-Class, the luxury estate wagon segment that was discontinued last year.

Mercedes will launch the new V-Class at the Geneva Motor Show in March and sales in Europe will begin soon after. The V-Class is built at the company's Vitoria facility in Spain.

The V-Class has a front cabin that looks like any other Mercedes passenger car. The dashboard design, for example, has design elements borrowed from the S-Class, while the rest of the cabin is reminiscent of the new C-Class.

The electro mechanical steering for instance, is the same one that's found in the new C-Class. So are the electrical systems. Of course, there suitable differences here and there to suit the driving dynamics of an MPV.

"It was a case of coming up with something completely new rather than upgrading a functional interior," said Kai Sieber, design boss for Mercedes-Benz vans. "We wanted to give our MPV real passenger car character and appeal."

The V-Class comes in three wheelbase lengths ranging from 4,895 to 5,370mm and in two body lengths 5,170mm and 5,370mm. It measures 1,880mm high. Mercedes says the dimensions make it possible to accommodate the V-Class in spaces where other MPVs might not fit in.

The V-Class will be available in two equipment lines - V-Class and V-Class Avantgarde and two packages - an Exterior Sports package and an Interior Design package for each of the two equipment lines.

The passenger seating layouts also come in a standard 2+2+2 seating layout and a 2+3+3 arrangement for seating 8 passengers. Furthermore, there's even a luxury sleeper option in which the last row of seat can be folded to turn it into a bed. Lastly, you could opt for swiveling front seats.

If all that was not enough Mercedes customers could choose from a huge range of customization options, be it luxury amenities or a range of Mercedes electronic driver aids and entertainment equipments.

"With the new V-Class we are expanding the Mercedes-Benz premium passenger car range with a saloon for up to eight people", said head of Mercedes-Benz, Dieter Zetsche. "Functionality is a must for an MPV. Comfort and style are the icing on the cake. The new V-Class combines both in a way no other vehicle in this segment can offer."

Lastly, coming to the powertrain. The V-Class will be offered with a 2.1 liter four cylinder turbo diesel engine that will come in three variants - the V200 CDI with 134 HP power and 330 Nm torque; the V220 CDI with 161 HP power and 380 Nm torque; and the V250 BlueTEC with 187 HP power and 440 Nm torque. The Mercedes 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission with paddle shifters will be standard on only in the V 250 BlueTEC, with the rest getting the manual gearbox.

We are yet to learn about Mercedes's plan about the V-Class in India. Meanwhile, watch the official trailer below. For high-res images check the Drivespark gallery